Girlnextblog

We know how incredibly important it is to choose the right wedding stationery. Discriminating brides know the same thing, too. It is so important to set the right tone for your wedding day. Your invitation does just that. Contrary to popular belief, it is much, much more than paper.

One stationer that understand how important invitations are to your wedding is Minted.com. They work with a number of talented designers. So there is definitely a range of modern wedding invitations from bright and colorful to vintage or floral to clean and modern and lastly, very traditional.

They offer three paper options: Signature Paper (Luxurious soft cotton texture, usually reserved for fine stationery. 120lb,), Premium Paper (Very thick paper with a smooth, matte finish. FSC-certified, 100% post-consumer waste manufactured with wind-power. 130 lb.), and Metallic (Adds a subtle shimmer finish and rich look to cards, and a soft glow to photographs, for the ultimate in elegance. Perfect for holiday cards, wedding stationery, and personal stationery. 98 lb.).

All wedding invitations are available in a variety of color options with several matching accessories, including save the date cards. You are sure to find an invitation design that will announce your special day in the right way. Here are five designs to consider:

VINTAGE LOVE: A MORE PERFECT UNION



MODERN: BOY MEETS GIRL



TRADITIONAL: SOIREE



FLORAL: SUMMER GARDENS



COLORFUL: SUMMER SUN

Gaylord National Resort Unveils Once-in-a-Lifetime Dream Wedding Offer with Gilt City DC and One Lucky Couple Will Save 40 Percent Off an All-Inclusive Waterfront Wedding at RiverView Terrace

National Harbor, Md. [February 8, 2012]—This Valentine season, Gaylord National Resort is maximizing the romance factor with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for engaged couples when they log-on to Gilt City today. In celebration of the most amorous time of year, the Washington, D.C. area’s acclaimed resort has partnered with Gilt Groupe's local lifestyle arm, Gilt City DC, to offer an all-inclusive, customized dream wedding – sealed with a kiss at an incredible 40 percent off the regular value.

Today, Gaylord National will present RiverView Terrace, the capital region’s newest premier outdoor waterfront venue, to Gilt City subscribers in search of the perfect location to tie the knot. The first couple to purchase this extraordinary offer – valid April 7, 2012 through March 31, 2013 (some black-out dates apply) – will be united in front of 150 of their closest family and friends at a breathtakingly beautiful riverside ceremony.

They will then experience a reception of supreme style and unparalleled service with creative fine-dining cuisine from Gaylord’s award-winning banquet team and exclusive, show-stopping features like a private fireworks display over the Potomac River – Gaylord’s signature “Kiss Goodnight.” A quality wedding venue for local brides.

Highly sought-after celebrity wedding planner Yifat Oren helps brides worldwide translate their concepts into reality with her masterfully produced and distinctively designed events. She has worked with everyone from Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth, Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka, and Christine and Kevin Costner.

On April 25th, Gilt City members are invited to spend an evening at an elegant in-store event with Yifat herself at Vera Wang’s glamorous, 3,500-square-foot flagship boutique. It's a night of sipping Champagne and tasting sweet treats, ending with a swag bag full of charming surprises to delight the most discerning of brides.

About the gowns: the Vera Wang styles filling this boutique are more breathtaking than any on the market.

About Yifat Oren: her advice is, in a word, brilliant. She is known for her impeccable style and unique ideas, and has planned celebrations for a variety of celebrities and discerning clientele; and she will be on hand to discuss your big day. Talk shop with her about fabric treatments, technical production, lighting, floral design, food styling and space planning: it's all fair game.

Purchase your tickets on Gilt City.
Tickets are being offered for $50 each and includes:

• Access for one to an exclusive bridal evening with Yifat Oren at Vera Wang


• Champagne


• Gift Bags


• Sweet Treats

April 25, 2011

6:00 – 8:00 pm

8445 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA, 90069

Can you believe that what's in this package is a wedding invitation that doubles as a record player? Believe it.

Watch...

Paper Record Player from kellianderson on Vimeo.

{via Co Design Daily}

So walking around I stopped at Bridal Reflections NYC to see what they had new and interesting. This black gown stopped me in my tracks. It was stunning. I just kept thinking if I would have the nerve to wear a black dress to my wedding. If I did have the nerve, it would be this one.

I totally love Tori and Dean. If you are going to put your whole life on television, make it real! You can not get more real than these two lovebirds. I love that they keep working it out no matter what. So I was so happy to hear that they have a new show called Tori & Dean sTORIbook Weddings, airing this Wednesday, April 6 from 10 p.m. – 11 p.m (EST/PST) on Oxygen.

Every episode, the two choose a couple who desperately need help and turn their so-so wedding into something fabulous. Tori works with the bride-to-be to help her make her dreams come true, no matter how crazy her ideas may be. While Dean helps the groom-to-be figure out exactly what he is supposed to be doing.

I got a chance to view the premiere episode and I loved it, of course. Tori and Dean meet Samantha and Steven who wanted to plan a wedding around their love for dogs. Quite naturally, a dog-inspired wedding makes so much sense as the pair who met online fell madly in "pug love." Tori and Dean spin the idea of “Pug Chic” décor into an amazing fun-filled event with a few surprises along the way.

Want to know more? I can't tell you anymore. You will just have to tune into Tori and Dean sTORIbook Weddings on Oxygen this Wednesday, April 6 at 10 p.m. (EST/PST) to find out what happens.

The photographer caught this bride at an amazing moment during her wedding day. Gorgeous. Photography by Unique Concepts Studio, Inc in Philadelphia.

Colorful Jordan Almonds have to be the easiest and most delicious wedding favor idea ever. First of all, they will totally dress up your table. Just be sure to use organza favor bags. Second, these delish goodies are available in red, pink, baby blue, green, orange, black, lavender, purple, white and ivory. Go ahead. Steal this idea. Available at Superior Nut.

Future Bridal Designers, here's your chance. Project Runway launched the career of local fav Christian Siriano. You could be next!!! Visit Bunim-Murray for all of the deets.

HauteLook is having a wedding sale this weekend for the budget-friendly. Get to shopping.

When you think about your dream gown, who is the designer? For me, it would have to be Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. This is my dream dress (at least for now).

The Inaugural Fit Night Out is almost here! Fit Night Out is an evening of fitness, fellowship and fun, designed especially for women. There will be fitness classes ranging from yoga and Zumba to channeling your inner kitten through belly dancing, ribbon dancing and pole aerobics. Yes, you read that right - pole aerobics.

Oh, it's not just about the fitness. This will be a true girls night out with specialty foods, beverages, and some much needed pampering. Grab your bridesmaids and work it out. It's all going down on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM at Love, 1350 Okie Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Proceeds from this event will go to a designated non-profit partner.

Get your fit on! Buy your tickets here.

In the DC area, we cannot wait for the Cherry Blossoms to bloom. We love it so much, we have a parade just to prove it. So of course, I am loving this cherry blossom letterpress invitation set by Chauhie.

Flowers really set the ambiance at your wedding reception. Especially when the flower design for your tables has some unexpected element to it. Flowers of the World has done some amazing work. I especially love the purple design. Fabulous!

Love this gorgeous necklace by Whimsea Designs. So perfect for your destination wedding.

I was so very honored to attend the launch of Crane & Co.'s new wedding stationery line. Crane has been helping brides announce their weddings since the 1800s. Their name has been synonymous with exquisite papers and quality printing for centuries. Even the Queen Mum announced her 100th Birthday on Crane stationery. I am a big fan of Crane. We have used their Lettra paper for our lettepress printing when we have had events.

I had a chance to chat with Gayle Driggers, Product Manager for Social Stationery. She is the person whose love, blood, sweat and tears were so very evident in the collection. She talked candidly about how she had to up her game and learn more about graphic design in order to better shape the style and design of the end product.

It was a very long process for Driggers and her team. But from where I sit, it was very worth it. The end product was pretty fabulous. I was most impressed by the stationery set where the monogram was hand-drawn to perfection and then engraved. It was incredibly beautiful. But everything in the new collection was gorgeous. As a graphic designer and paper freak, I fell in love. There are modern fonts and modern color choices such as pale blues and browns. In addition to engraving, you can also choose letterpress as a printing option. There were some whimsical options where you can use your engagement photos. Plenty of variety in the new collection.






As a special treat, Bridal Designer Anne Bowen was on hand to support Crane's launch as the two companies have recently formed a partnership. The designer also had on display two drop dead gorgeous wedding gowns from her "Of The Gods" collection.



For a better look at what's new, here are a few options from Crane's web site. It is best to visit a retailer who carries the Crane line and see/touch everything for yourself.

What: Edible Arrangements®, the pioneer and leader in artistically designed fresh-fruit displays and chocolate dipped fruit, invites your readers to visit their newly redesigned wedding website and enter to win a FREE banquet size arrangement for their wedding related festivities. Brides-to-be can submit their stories and share why Edible Arrangements should be a part of their wedding celebration. The winner will be chosen at the end of April and will receive a Delicious Party® arrangement with dipped strawberries.

When: Monday, March 14th thru Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Where: Online at Edible Arrangements’ Wedding Website

Who: Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in artistically designed fresh fruit displays and chocolate dipped fruit.

About Edible Arrangements: Edible Arrangements International, Inc. is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements has been ranked first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking for the past five consecutive years. With over 1,000 locations operating or opening soon worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Turkey, Hong Kong, India and Jordan. Customers may order arrangements by telephone at 1-877-Do-Fruit, at one of the company’s retail stores, or on-line at EdibleArrangements.com.

If this isn't a great wedding cake topper, I don't know what is. Where was this when I was getting married? Love. Check out more unusual wedding cake toppers.

I love this. Photography by Zemotion.

Happy to discover the fab wedding collection of Project Runway winner, Leanne Marshall. I love this one. View her Etsy collection.